Second tie-up terror

WANTED: a police e-fit of one of the suspects

A SECOND home-alone teenager has been tied up and threatened with a machete in a terrifying burglary possibly linked to an earlier raid.

The 14 year old was bound with a phone cable after being confronted by two intruders at his home in Derker. The pair broke into the Melrose Street home late on Tuesday afternoon.

The incident was almost a repeat of one last Wednesday evening in Hollins, in which thugs tied up a 13-year-old girl and threatened to cut off her fingers.

In the latest raid, the boy came down from his bedroom as the raiders ransacked downstairs. One of the men ripped the phone from the wall and tied the helpless teenager with the cable. They threatened him with a machete before stealing games consoles, phones and other items

One of the men is described as being of mixed race and about 30 years old. He spoke with a local accent. The other is white and in his 20s.

Det Insp Lewis Hughes said: “This was an extremely traumatic incident for the young boy. The robbery bears all the hallmarks of the similar incident in Hollins less than a week ago. We strongly suspect they could be linked.

“We continue to appeal for anyone with information about either incident to call us.”

In the Hollins raid, the terrified girl was alone in her family’s Croft Brow home when armed men broke in, slapped her, dragged her upstairs and tied her hands and feet before threatening her with a large knife and demanding to know where her parents kept their valuables.

Anyone with information on either incident should call police on 0161-856 9063, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

BREAKING NEWS: A 32-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary at Melrose Street.